Vehicles emit pollutants and greenhouse gases that damage the environment. Cleaner and more fuel-efficient transport alternatives can improve our quality of life. Emissions standards for road vehicles have been tightened progressively, and Singapore’s Carbon Emissions-based Vehicle Scheme has been revised. Singapore’s electric vehicle (EV) car-sharing programme will see the introduction of up to 1,000 EVs.

As a major shipping port, Singapore also aims to reduce emissions from the maritime sector. The LNG Bunkering Pilot Programme will commence in 2017, and Singapore will be supplying LNG, rather than petroleum-based fuels, to ships by 2020. The aviation sector is exploring the feasibility of using alternative fuels such as biofuels, which are less polluting than petroleum-based fuels.

Research conducted under this track has been focused on the efficiency and effectiveness of measures which are aimed at reducing emissions, such a carbon dioxide, sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides, from the land and marine transport sectors, both domestically and internationally. A great deal of time has been devoted to examining transport policies in other countries and determining which policies and technologies may be feasible for application in Singapore.

Over-Arching Questions

• What are the barriers for a large-scale adoption of EVs and the policy options to overcome them?
• What are the impacts of international regulations on Singapore’s aviation and shipping industries?
• How could Singapore set an example for ASEAN members in decarbonising the transport sector?